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Article published In:
Journal of Second Language Studies
Vol. 2:1 (2019) ► pp.45–70

Enacting voices

An analysis on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency of heteroglossic speech

| University of Minnesota

The present study supports the idea of heteroglossia and its contributions to language learning in second language acquisition (SLA) theory and bilingualism. Bakhtin’s (1934/1981) theory of heteroglossia differs from variety and register in that when acquiring a language, one internalizes the voices of others. Viewing interlanguage through a heteroglossic lens, it is possible that these voices in heteroglossia may have an effect on second language (L2) users’ language production. By blending sociolinguistic and sociocultural frameworks, this study analyzed the complexity, accuracy, and fluency of two French-English bilinguals’ narratives. Findings demonstrate a clear shift in all three measures of the CAF framework when participants enacted the voice of a perceived interlocutor or perceived self, versus when they recounted a narrative. These findings support the notion that an individual may have variable linguistic systems, and raise other important theoretical and practical implications for SLA research and L2 instruction.

Keywords: heteroglossia, double voicing, language play, CAF, variation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Methods
    • 2.1Participants
    • 2.2Data collection
    • 2.3Data analysis
    • 2.4Measuring complexity
    • 2.5Measuring accuracy
    • 2.6Measuring fluency
  • 3.Results
    • 3.1Accuracy
    • 3.2Fluency
    • 3.3Complexity
  • 4.Discussion
  • 5.Limitations
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 18 April 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jsls.17027.las
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Cited by (3)

Cited by 3 other publications

LaScotte, Darren K.
2022. L2 Voices and Materials as Tools in Pronunciation Pedagogy. In New Perspectives on Material Mediation in Language Learner Pedagogy [Educational Linguistics, 56], ► pp. 267 ff. DOI logo
LASCOTTE, DARREN K. & ELAINE TARONE
2022. Channeling Voices to Improve L2 English Intelligibility. The Modern Language Journal 106:4 ► pp. 744 ff. DOI logo
LaSCOTTE, DARREN & ELAINE TARONE
2019. Heteroglossia and Constructed Dialogue in SLA. The Modern Language Journal 103:S1 ► pp. 95 ff. DOI logo

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